Please don’t stop the music, the Aztecs are still dancing.
How do these lyrics sound San Diego—SDSU is in the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!
The Aztecs came to Houston looking to two-step til Monday. Saturday evening they took one step closer towards achieving that ultimate goal.
We’ll put the song on repeat—SDSU is in the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!
No April fools. This is actually happening. What Brian Dutcher’s team had to do in order to make this happen was simply achieve the greatest comeback in NCAA Final Four history.
Down by as many as 14 points in the second half with nothing going their way, the Aztecs leaned on their winning formula of tough defense, elite level rebounding and clutch offensive performances. When the first two ingredients are working, the third one usually presents an opportunity to happen.
FAU had the 1 point lead and possession of the ball with 17.5 seconds left in the game. The problem was they only had 11 seconds left on the shot clock. FAU needed just one more bucket to make it a 3 point game and at best a two possession game with a 3 point shot.
The Owls were on fire in the first half scoring 40 points while out-shooting and out rebounding the Aztecs. Alijah Martin’s 26 points and 9 of 10 free throws ignited FAU’s confidence. But in the game’s final seconds, FAU was left without a closer.
For the Aztecs, sticking to their formula worked and the Butler did it…again.
FAU’s shot attempt was blocked by defensive specialist Aguek Arop. Nathan Mensah recovered the errant shot with 8 seconds remaining and immediately found the outlet pass to Butler.
With no time out called, Brian Dutcher had allowed the third ingredient in the formula to play itself out. It was all about getting the ball pushed up-court quickly and getting the best shot that could be found.
Butler, known to have one of the fastest accelerations in the Nation, pushed the ball down the right corner of the baseline. After being cut off by his defender and nearly stepping out of bounds, Butler’s work ethic came into focus and was on full display. The junior class guard dribbled left, rising up high with just 0,6 seconds left in regulation.
The picture perfect pull-up shot flew up and came down inside the rim, tickling the twine as the buzzer sounded, beating FAU and leaving no doubt who was still going to be dancing come Monday.
Aztecs 72 FAU 71.
Final.
Not a dry eye was left in NRG Stadium when the Aztecs team ran onto the court in celebration with the sudden realization that they were going to the National Championship. By contrast, the shock of despair brought tears upon FAU’s faces when the game they had led the entire 2nd half was suddenly out of their grasp and final.
The shot of this 2023 NCAA Tournament it was, without a doubt. But this was in fact the single greatest sports moment in San Diego State history—so far.
All the heart & determination of these Aztecs have made believers out of San Diego sports fans all March long. This was the kind of game that SDSU has become famous for in San Diego and the West Coast. But now with this victory, they have truly won over many in the Nation as believers just the same.
For FAU, this was the kind of game that they simply do not lose. 11-1 in games decided by 5 points or fewer, the Owls have been one of the most battle-tested teams in the Nation with their 35 most wins.
Wether tears of joy, or tears of misery, the colossal matchup between two of the best in the Nation was one for the ages. The impact could be felt all over the basketball world, in the professional ranks in other sports and right at the center of Aztec Nation on campus.
The victory sets up the NCAA Tournament Championship game this Monday, April 3 on CBS. The Aztecs will play against the UCONN Huskies who soundly defeated the Miami Hurricanes 72-59. It is a rematch game of the 2011 NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen that featured the eventual National Champion Huskies led by Kemba Walker, against the heralded SDSU team with eventual NBA Champion and MVP, Kawhi Leonard.
San Diego, could there be any other way to win a National Championship when you’re dancing with destiny—We think not.
